Options considered for &lsquo;Sirens of TI&rsquo; space on Las Vegas Strip

Norm Clarke is one of Las Vegas's most notable and recognizable celebrities. This eye-patched man-about-town knows it all about this vibrant city in the desert -- where to go, what to do, and most importantly, where to see and be seen.

Are the “Sirens of TI” and their lusty pirate admirers being replaced by a water feature?

A Treasure Island spokeswoman addressed the rumor Tuesday, saying it was one of the options, “but we haven’t made any decisions.”

Michelle Knoll said Treasure Island owner Phil Ruffin decided to announce the closure last week “to give (the cast and crew) as much time as possible to seek out other positions.”

The show shut down Oct. 21 for what was to be a two-month hiatus for construction of a retail space. The attraction was to reopen Dec. 26.

Some laid-off workers voiced anger that they were informed there was no change in status as recently as last week.

The two ships probably will stay in place until a decision is made, said Knoll, who was vacationing in the Caribbean.

The move comes five years after Ruffin bought Treasure Island for $775 million from MGM Mirage, now MGM Resorts International.

DETAILS OF ‘PAWN STARS’ PARODY

The producer of the upcoming “Pawn Stars” parody sees a shiny future for the Golden Nugget show.

“Pawn Shop: The Live Show!” predicts Derek Stonebarger, “is probably going to be the biggest 4 p.m. show in town. It’s the one that could help put the town of Las Vegas on the map rather than just evening Cirque du Soleil shows.”

Going public for the first time, Stonebarger said: “A 4 o’clock show in the Golden Nugget showroom with the most popular attraction in Las Vegas, I mean that right there speaks to Broadway. That’s how Broadway shows work. Matinees are sold out every day in New York, so why couldn’t they be here?”

Stonebarger, co-owner of the historic Atomic Liquors bar and a former Emmy winner at KLAS-TV, Channel 8, said the lawyers are finalizing the deal, which would put the show on track to open early next year.

Rehearsals are underway, and the “Pawn Stars” cast “are all onboard,” as far as supporting the project.

In 2010, Stonebarger produced and wrote “Oscar: A Good Man,” a parody of former Mayor Oscar Goodman.

In a recent audition ad for “Pawn Shop,” the casting call was looking for a lead character named “Chump,” which sounds like the real-life “Pawn Stars” member Austin “Chumlee” Russell.

Other characters being sought: Lil Boss, Slick, Child Slick, showgirl, female lead and Old Fart.

THE SCENE AND HEARD

The book signing by Buddy “Cake Boss” Valastro is Sunday, Dec. 6, at Buddy V’s Ristorante (Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian/Palazzo), not this Sunday, as stated here Monday. The book is titled “Family Celebrations with the Cake Boss.” The session is from 1-2 p.m.

PUNCH LINE

“They got three feet of fresh powder back East. And that was just in freshman Florida Congressman Trey Radel’s office. Radel says he’s going into rehab and when he gets out, he wants to be named ambassador to Colombia.” — Jay Leno

Norm Clarke’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. He can be reached at 702-383-0244 or email him at norm@reviewjournal.com. Find more online at www.normclarke.com. Follow Norm on Twitter @Norm_Clarke. “Norm Clarke’s Vegas,” airs Thursdays on the “Morning Blend” on KTNV-TV, Channel 13.